Bradbury’s Bee Balm (Monarda bradburiana)

A.k.a. Bradbury’s monarda. The little sibling of the better known wild bee balm! A short monarda that prefers poor, dryer soils, but adapts well to average, well drained beds. Often sought after for more formal plantings due to its more compact, “well behaved” form. Like other monarda, it supports a wide variety of pollinators! Like most mints, its strong tasting foliage is generally avoided by deer.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Mesic, Dry Mesic

Soil Type: Rocky

Height: 1’-2’

Bloom Color: Pink

Bloom Time: Jun-Jul

Root Type: Rhizome

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract bees, beeflies, butterflies, skippers, hummingbird moths, and hummingbirds. Hosts moths such as the hermit sphinx and grey marvel, and some smaller insects. Foliage has a strong taste and is rarely browsed.